On Friday evening, 1 July, Master Builders Association of Victoria completed the four-part series of our annual Regional Building Awards for 2016. Over the past several weeks, we have staged awards events in Geelong, Albury and, finally, Traralgon, involving building and construction professionals from many communities there and in-between.

On Friday, Waltcon Constructions received the South East region’s Builder of the Year award for their work on a three-level Traralgon home that makes innovative use of masonry blocks and structural steel.  What they have created is an interior that blends extremely well with the house’s green, park-like surroundings. The house features light-coloured finishes, tight-fitting joinery and the marks of a good builder throughout. Likewise, BFN Developments was named Commercial Builder of the Year (South East) for their work on Newmason, a multifaceted mixed-use project encompassing private apartments, a 48-room hotel, fitness studio, 300-seat restaurant and a healthcare centre.

Other regional winners this year include Malishev Constructions and Ballarat Construction Management (South West), Todd Newman Builders and VR Builders (North West), and Hedger Constructions P/L and Zauner Construction (North East).

As always, one of the great things about the Regional Building Awards is the broad range of projects it features, and the attention it directs to the builders whose work might otherwise go unrecognised. But every house, every building has a story to tell.

The winning houses will go on to compete in the Victorian Excellence in Housing Awards on 21 October, and the winning commercial projects will compete in the Victorian Excellence in Construction Awards on 12 August. Both events will be held in Melbourne.

You can review all winning projects in the 2016 Regional Building Awards here.